Painting the Mona Lisa?

How reusable and open methods and protocols can advance reproducibility

Abstract

Would Leonardo da Vinci have shared the precise methods behind his masterpieces? Would he guide us step by step through his process to recreate the enigmatic smile of the Mona Lisa? While art often celebrates the elusive and irreplicable touch of genius, contemporary science expects and relies on reproducibility to maintain trust and rigor. More than a decade has passed since the reproducibility crisis was first diagnosed, yet progress in addressing this issue has been gradual and unevenly distributed (Korbmacher, M. et al, 2023). Researchers are increasingly required to produce detailed data management plans and to ensure that their data is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR). However, questions often overlooked in the quest for FAIR data include: Where do the data come from, and how were they generated (Weissgerber, T. et al, 2024)? Detailed methods reporting enhances the value of shared data and makes replication of results more efficient, reducing research waste while also fostering a more equitable research culture, ensuring that up-to-date methods are available to all (LaFlamme, M, 2024).

Workshop objectives

This workshop will explore how stakeholders within the research science ecosystem can advance reproducibility by encouraging the uptake of methods and protocols sharing. Drawing on a recent set of recommendations from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, we will spark a meaningful dialogue around translating these recommendations into practice across the scientific community (European Commission et al, 2024). By engaging participants in problem-solving and role-playing exercises, we will consider dilemmas and tradeoffs that may stand in the way of a more responsible, reproducible research culture.

Workshop Structure

• Role-Playing Group Activities: Participants will be divided into groups, each presented with a real-life scenario related to methods and protocols sharing. Participants will assume different roles, such as a researcher, a department head, a librarian, or a funder. Within their respective groups, participants will:
  • Discuss potential strategies to advance reproducibility within their assigned roles.
  • Identify challenges (e.g., incentives and/or disincentives) and propose practical action plans to address them.
  • Develop tools and communication strategies tailored to their stakeholder group.
• Group Presentations: Each group will present their scenario and proposed actions, explaining how they developed their approach.
• Synthesis: The workshop will conclude with a collaborative session where participants will discuss common challenges surfaced by the scenarios and collectively identify the most effective approaches to overcome them. Participants will be encouraged to state practical, tangible steps they will take after the workshop to promote methods and protocols sharing in their organizations.

Target Audience: This workshop is designed for anyone who is committed to advancing reproducibility in scientific research. We hope that attendees from the stakeholder groups mentioned above will participate.